Analyzing Rafael Nadal's Unprecedented Dominance at French Open

The 2013 French Open has been much the same as the past nine years as Rafael Nadal continues to dominate in Paris.

His latest semifinal against Novak Djokovic (SRB) was not easy. Nadal (ESP) defeated the top-seeded Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7 (recap courtesy of Roland Garros' official website).

Djokovic is the No. 1 player in the world, but not even he could end Nadal's dominance of Paris. 

No man has ever won a single Grand Slam event eight times. Nadal already has seven French Open titles, and he could be adding to that by the end of the weekend.

Let's examine just how dominant Nadal has been in Paris.

The 27-year-old has already won seven titles, including three straight. He had never won a Grand Slam title entering 2005, but he managed to start his run of dominance at the French Open.

He has won seven of the past eight tournaments in Paris, a feat that has only been tied by Pete Sampras (USA) at Wimbledon from 1993 to 2000. Nobody has ever won the same Grand Slam eight times in a span of nine years.

Heading into Friday's match, Nadal had won his last three matches in straight sets. Since losing the first set in the second round, he had won 12 straight sets entering his showdown with Djokovic. He stretched that streak to 13 before losing the second set.

In 2013, he has won 18 of his 22 sets in Paris. His dominance hasn't just come out of nowhere this year. 

Nadal lost three sets in both 2005 and 2006, won 21 of 22 sets in 2007 and dominated the field by winning all 21 sets in 2008

He swept his first three matches of 2009 before losing in four matches in the fourth round. 

Nadal lost only three sets in the 2011 French Open, and he was a perfect 21-for-21 in 2010. He won 21 of 22 sets in 2012, including the first 20 sets of the tournament before losing one in the finals after going up two sets. 

Add all of those numbers up, and Nadal has lost only 18 sets at the French Open since 2005. 

ESPN provides an even better statistic that shows just how dominant the left-hander has been in his career at the French Open.

He's lost only one match in the tournament since 2005.

He's getting the job done, and he has been able to take down his top competitors in the process.

From 2005 to 2008, Nadal knocked out Roger Federer (SUI) in every French Open. The first came in the semifinal, but the next three times were all in the finals. They met again in the 2011 finals, and Nadal again came away with the victory.

His most recent rival in the tournament has been Djokovic. Nadal defeated Djokovic in the finals last year, which set up this year's epic rematch in the semifinals. Nadal was 3-0 against Djokovic in the French Open from 2006 to 2008.

With a record seven French Open titles and the eighth only a few days away, Nadal is on the most historic run of dominance in tennis history. 

*All stats are courtesy of Roland Garros' offical website